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Self-Storage Video Surveillance: Choosing a Vendor

Remember the old adage, “You get what you pay for.” If your remote-monitoring vendor offers to watch your cameras for only $30 per month, you’ll likely be disappointed. Understand, this type of monitoring will probably only include watching the video after an alarm has been triggered. It will probably miss the events leading up to the alarm.

If, on the other hand, you hire people to watch your cameras proactively, expect to pay for their time. Consider the return on this investment when compared to hiring onsite security personnel, which involves utilities, staff turnover, etc. Some self-storage companies have saved 56 percent a month by switching from onsite security guards to remote video surveillance.

Choosing a video-security vendor that is able to deliver the right surveillance system for your facility can be tough. But there are companies with the all the resources your business needs. After a few “blind dates” with various prospects, you’ll have enough information to make an informed choice.

Bryce Witcher is the marketing manager for Mesa, Ariz.-based Iveda Solutions, a full-service company specializing in IP video hosting and real-time remote surveillance. For more information, visit www.ivedasolutions.com.

Remote Video: What You Need to Know

Here is a list of questions to ask potential security vendors when implementing a remote video-surveillance system or service:

Can I use my existing analog CCTV cameras?

Should I invest in quality network cameras?

Should my cameras be stationary or movable (pan-tilt-zoom)?

Should my cameras be hidden or exposed?

How many and which cameras need to be watched and/or recorded? For how many hours per day?

Does my surveillance system allow for hosted video and real-time remote surveillance?

Does the system allow my existing security staff to monitor the site?

Can I outsource staff to monitor my facility? What kind of daily reporting or audit trail comes with the service?

Will the offsite surveillance team call me or the police if something happens on my property?